Down a nondescript laneway in Toronto’s Yonge Street Heritage Conservation District stands 18 Gloucester Lane. In passing, it could easily be overlooked — but for those in the know, it’s a remarkable address. Listed for $8.495 million, the turn-of-the-century yellow-brick building has a unique past — a past tied to Canada’s (and Hollywood’s) film industry through the late, great Norman Jewison.
“Norman [Jewison] bought the building in the mid-1970s, almost 50 years ago,” notes selling agent Don Mulholland. “The property still remains with the family.”
Jewison, who passed away earlier this year in California, at the age of 97, was a world-renowned film director and producer. He was known for creating classic films such as Jesus Christ Superstar, Fiddler on the Roof and the 1980s rom-com hit Moonstruck.
For decades, Jewison favoured the building as his Toronto home office base. Along with his family, he made a space that bloomed with creativity. It also became the filming location for several movies.
Alongside fellow film industry professionals who used Jewison’s lively studio spaces for their craft, Norman honed his own film-making legacy.
Recently put on the market by the filmmaker’s family, 18 Gloucester Lane offers the perfect combination of residential and commercial space — perhaps for a new generation of creators.
Sharing details about the building’s history, realtors Stephanie White Willitts and Don Mulholland note the brick-and-beam industrial building was built in 1911 for Lionel Rawlinson — a cabinet maker and furniture dealer.
Exposed brick walls paired with rich pine ceilings stretch across a versatile space with antique charm.
While the fifth and sixth floors consist of a welcoming home with park views and a creative studio once used by Jewsion, the lower floors feature several independent office spaces. Mulholland notes that the ground floor has plenty of potential as a future restaurant or cafe.
Offering plenty of space and creative character, it’s easy to understand why many people in the film industry have fallen in love with the building.
“We think 18 Gloucester offers an excellent opportunity for a buyer looking for a 2,500-square-foot penthouse unit suitable for a residence, creative space, or live/work environment,” notes Mulholland.
Photo courtesy of Aaron Mason, Metroviews.ca
Meticulously cared for throughout the years, Norman Jewison’s building is sure to capture the hearts of anyone who steps inside — while the adjacent parkette named in his honour reminds us of the great legacy he imprinted on this special nook in the heart of Toronto.
“One of the great features of the building is that it sits across from Norman Jewison Park,” notes Mulholland, “which is in the midst of a major refurbishment expected to be completed this spring.”
18 Gloucester Lane is listed with Stephanie White Willitts and Don Mulholland of Bosley Real Estate.
